Arteta Targets Victory Over Inter As Arsenal Chase Top Spot In Champions League

‎Arsenal’s only defeat in last season’s Champions League first phase came away to Inter Milan, and Mikel Arteta now wants his team to prove how far they’ve progressed since that setback.

‎They return to face the same opponents with their unbeaten run on the line. Arsenal sit top of the standings with maximum points and remain the competition’s only undefeated side heading into the penultimate matchday.

‎Last season, Arsenal fell to a ‌1-0 defeat by Inter at the San Siro, and Arteta expects another tough challenge ‌when the sides meet in Milan on Tuesday.

‎Inter, who finished as runners-up in both the Champions League and Serie A last season, now top the Italian league under new manager Cristian Chivu. Arsenal, meanwhile, leads the Premier League after finishing second in each of the last three seasons.

‎”A very ⁠similar context to last year,” Arteta told reporters on Monday.

‎”Obviously, where the two teams are ‌at the moment is a bit different. A new manager as well, who I think ​has given them some other things in their identity and the way they play.

‎”I think the task is going to be equally difficult. But I think we had, watching it back, a really strong performance here and the margin that we lost the game, by a penalty.”

‎Arteta is keen for his side to maintain their positive ‌run of results, 11 games without defeat in all competitions, seeing momentum as key to their success.

‎”Performance and results have an impact emotionally on the team to a level of confidence and the aim tomorrow is to come here and win the ⁠game,” Arteta said.

‎”That’s a step that we didn’t take last year and we have to show that we are better than last year.”

‎Arsenal’s focus isn’t solely on Inter, as they also prepare to host a revitalized Manchester United on Sunday. United impressed with a 2-0 win over Manchester City in interim manager Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.

‎”We keep tricking the players, that the next one is the most important one of the season, and then three days later the same,” Arteta said.

‎”That’s the demands, that’s the expectations that we have. That’s the standard that we have set as a team and as a club. And we are living with ⁠that, with joy, with enthusiasm, and with a lot of energy.”

‎A draw ‌against Inter would secure Arsenal’s place in the last 16, with a win guaranteeing a top-two finish and home advantage in the second leg all the way through to the semi-finals.

‎”That’s massive. We know that, and if we win tomorrow, we know that that’s going to be the case,” Arteta said.

‎”So ⁠let’s make it happen.”

‎Inter are sixth in the Champions League standings with 12 points, after suffering defeats in their last two group-stage matches.